A Cambridge-educated thespian, Patrick starred on stage in productions of “Othello” and “The Taming of the Shrew,” as well as in several BBC series.

Michael Patrick, Irish actor known for Shakespeare roles and Game of Thrones, dies at 35

A Cambridge-educated thespian, Patrick starred on stage in productions of "Othello" and "The Taming of the Shrew," as well as in several BBC series.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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April 8, 2026 10:24 p.m. ET

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Actor Michael Patrick. Credit:

Michael Patrick/Instagram

Michael Patrick, an Irish actor known for his turns in several high-profile Shakespearean stage productions, as well as on series like *Game of Thrones *and *This Town*, died on April 7 at the age of 35.

Patrick's wife, Naomi Sheehan, announced his death in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday.

"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease 1st February 2023," Sheehan explained in the caption of a picture of the couple at their wedding. "He was admitted 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends."****"Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are," she wrote.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that slowly degrades the body's motor neurons, which enable normal muscle functions like moving, speaking, eating, and breathing. There is currently no cure for MND.

Sheehan continued in her post, "It’s been said more than once that Mick was an inspiration to everyone who was privileged enough to come into contact with him, not just in the past few years during his illness but in every day of his life. He lived a life as full as any human can live. Joy, abundance of spirit, infectious laughter. A titan of a ginger haired man."

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Patrick's wife extended gratitude "for every person who supported us through the last few years," and left off with a quote that Patrick "loved" from renowned Irish poet Brendan Behan: "The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you."

A Cambridge graduate, Patrick appeared in several productions of Shakespeare at the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company in London, including *Measure for Measure *and *The Taming of the Shrew*.

Michael Patrick on Facebook.

Michael Patrick/Facebook

Even after Patrick's MND diagnosis left him using a wheelchair, he continued turning in acclaimed stage performances, appearing in the title role in a production of *Richard III* at Belfast's Lyric Theatre in 2024.

On TV, Patrick appeared as a wildling rioter in the sixth season of *Game of Thrones*. He also starred in several BBC series, including *This Town *and *Blue Lights*.

An image shared on Michael Patrick's GoFundMe.

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In his final Instagram post on Feb. 6, Patrick commemorated three years since his diagnosis with MND.

"My neurologist gave us the news that I likely have about 1 year left," he wrote, but vowed that he still had "lots to live for and lots planned."

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